Brands Hatch [ Mar 2008 ]

Brands Hatch track day, March 2008

Brands Hatch, in Kent, is one of the best-known circuits in Britain and a regular venue for the British Superbike Championship. It is famous for Paddock Hill Bend, a fast, off-camber right-hander that drops steeply downhill straight after the start line and is one of the most intimidating first corners anywhere.

The short Indy layout packs Paddock Hill, the Druids hairpin and the sweeping Clearways section into a compact lap, while the longer Grand Prix loop adds a fast run out through the woods. Either way, the natural elevation changes give the circuit a character that flat, modern tracks struggle to match.

Riding Brands Hatch teaches commitment and precision. Blind crests and cambers punish hesitation, and braking accurately into Druids and getting a clean drive out of Clearways make a big difference to every lap. Being close to London also makes Brands Hatch one of the most accessible circuits for riders in the south-east of England, and its track days are popular throughout the season.

The circuit's grandstands and natural banks give spectators a great view of most of the lap, and the paddock has a long racing history behind it. For a track day rider, it is a chance to ride corners that have been part of British motorcycle racing for generations.